Series 1 > Papal negotiations with Mary Queen of Scots during her reign in Scotland, 1561-1567

APPENDIX III
483
F But as to the change of your state in life, to tell the truth I do not
think it at present expedient. For I do not understand that the im¬
pediments in Scotland are at present such as to prevent the possibility
of a diocese being ruled by its true pastors; and if for the time being
this is difficult, until the queen takes a husband, yet that I hope will
come to pass ere long, and then we must surely believe that Catholic
bishops will have greater liberty to perform their duties. Your lord-
ship should therefore wait for better times. Gather strength in the
retirement you now enjoy, so that when restored to the Church, to
which you are wedded, you may feed your flock by word, by
example, and in every way, and encourage it in all good works.
Such an example would also stimulate other pastors to do likewise.
You may always count on having our Fathers united with you in the
closest bond of charity, and some day I hope as fellow-labourers in
the vineyard in Scotland, to the glory of God, etc.
[The last half of the letter, from the point marked F, has been cancelled and
the following paragraph substituted.]
F The change of your state in life is certainly a matter of great
importance and one that requires careful consideration. Without
the leave of the Pope it cannot be done, and to obtain that leave
reasons would have to be alleged which would fully justify the change.
Your lordship should therefore write and explain the grave impedi¬
ments you may have in exercising your episcopal function in Scotland,
and state what you think you will be able to do to the greater glory
of God if you enter the Society. I will then write back what I shall
think best. Meanwhile I pray God’s goodness to guide your lordship
with the light of His wisdom. In every state of life you will always
find our Society attached to you by the strongest bond of affection.
Vale in Domino Jesu Christo.
Rome, 5 September 1564.]
No. 9, Polanco to Father Canisius, Provincial of Austria, ii. 185b.
Rome, 23 September 1564.
‘Now that the queens1 and members of the imperial court are
f absent, Doctor Edmund, the Scotsman, may be taken away with less
‘ difficulty, and sent towards France.’ (ll Dottor Emundo Scoto,
con occasione del absentia dele Regine, et di quelli Signori del Ex.
regimine, si potra tanto pin facilmente levare et mandare la volta di
Francia.)
No. 10, Polanco to Father Pontius [Paul Du Pont] at Paris, ii. 214.
Rome, 15 November 1564.
‘ Doctor Edmund, the Scotsman, who is to have charge of our
1 Five of the Emperor Ferdinand’s eleven daughters resided at Innsbruck, and
were great patrons of the Jesuit College there.—Ig. Agricola, S. J., Historia
Provinciae Societatis Jesu Germaniae Supcrioris, Vienna, 1727, i. 67.